In 1970, as part of the liturgical renewal following Vatican Council II (1962-65), the Catholic Church began using a three-year cycle of readings for Sunday Eucharistic celebrations. We are in “Year C,” when the Gospel of Luke is read on most Sundays, and so we will hear Luke’s account of the passion of Jesus read today. Luke’s is the longest Gospel, and it contains much material not found in the other Gospels. For example, without Luke’s Gospel, we would not have the story about the Angel’s visit to Mary, telling her of her coming pregnancy, her subsequent visit to Elizabeth, and the birth of Jesus in a manger, announced by angels to the shepherds! We would not have such important parables as the miraculous catch of fish, the parables of the good Samaritan or of the prodigal son. We would not know the stories of Zacchaeus or the healing of the 10 lepers. Today as we listen to Luke’s description of Jesus’ death on the cross, we will hear three “final words” of Jesus not found in the other Gospels:
First: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (23:34)
Second: Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise [said to the “good thief,”23:43]
Third: Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit (23:46)
Each of these final words can have deep meaning for each of us, and be a way we can feel joined to Jesus himself in his final moments.
Father, forgive them… Injustices are inflicted on each of us in life, as they were on Jesus. By the manner of his death, Jesus shows us that getting even, rehearsing grievances, and becoming angry and bitter do not bring peace. Only forgiveness does that.
Now consider the second saying. The good thief rebukes the other criminal being crucified with Jesus, saying: “… we have been condemned justly for … our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” We may not be ax murderers, but we are not innocent. It is hard for us to face our sins. But when we do, we have the assurance that Jesus responds to us with the love he showed the good thief: Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
And the third saying: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. In John’s Gospel, the one we will hear on Good Friday, those words are rendered as “It is finished.” They are the words of someone (Jesus) who has arrived at the prize. He is at the end of a life well lived in sync with his Father. Into your hands I commend my spirit can become a beautiful prayer to end each day, offering our days to the Lord as we slip into sleep. And as we all approach death, those words carry the comfort of the relationship we have with God through Jesus, a relationship which will see us through to the end.
— Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia; illustration by FreeVector.com
The post April 13, Palm Sunday, Final Words: A Sunday Scriptures blog first appeared on Sisters of the Precious Blood.